# The Influence of Spinal Pain, Spinal Mobility, and Spinal Curvature on the Risk of Falling in Osteoporotic Patients

## TL;DR

This study finds that spinal pain and mobility are linked to a higher risk of falling in osteoporotic patients, while spinal curvature is not.

## Contribution

The study identifies spinal pain and rotational mobility as novel risk factors for falling in osteoporotic patients.

## Key findings

- Spinal pain significantly increases the risk of falling in osteoporotic patients.
- Total spine mobility, especially rotational mobility, is significantly associated with falling risk.
- Spinal curvature does not significantly affect the risk of falling in these patients.

## Abstract

Background/Objective: Although the increased proneness to falling in osteoporotic patients has been stated in the literature, the knowledge of underlying reasons and their possible interactions is incomplete. For this reason, it was the aim of this work to investigate the possible relation between spinal pain, spinal mobility, and spinal curvature on the risk of falling in osteoporotic patients. Methods: Our study included a total of 100 osteoporotic patients. Standardized methods were used to evaluate spinal pain, spinal mobility, and spinal statics. The risk of falling was assessed by the Tinetti test. To explicitly determine potential spine-related risk factors for falling, the results observed were adjusted by linear regression statistics considering already known risk factors (e.g., age, level of activity, muscle weakness, disturbed lateral balance). Results: The risk of falling in osteoporotic patients was found to be influenced by spinal pain (p = 0.010), the total spine mobility (p = 0.013), and, in particular, by its rotational mobility (p = 0.019). Spinal curvature (spine inclination in this context) did not show a significant effect (p = 0.892). Conclusions: Spinal pain and total spine mobility, in particular its rotational mobility, contribute to the risk of falling in osteoporotic patients. This finding should be appropriately considered in preventive patient care programs.